Spokane Junior Academy (SJA) students filled the air with their musical talent at the annual spring concert in May. Music director Loren Frost crafted a concert full of youthful energy and increasing talent.
Opening with a patriotic tribute, the fifth and sixth graders sang the "Grand Old Flag" in a salute to their love of country.
Frost introduced the current edition of SJA’s bell choir, and the school choir, with 25 students in grades seven through 10, shared songs such as "You’ll Never Walk Alone," "Shine Jesus Shine" and "If I were a Rich Man."
The beginner band, comprised of younger first-year music students, showcased their advances with a series of solos in a Ukrainian folk song.
Third and fourth graders performed "Michael Row the Boat" with hand chimes, a new experience for the eager children. Not to be left out, kinderschool, grade one and grade two students showed their budding talents and enthusiasm with a serenade to family elders, "This Old Man."
The band demonstrated their range of talents from "This Little Light of Mine" to the popular big-band tune, "In the Mood." Vigorous trumpet solos highlighted their performance of "Bugler’s Holiday."
Students in the Spanish class sang Psalm 121 in Spanish, and a violin solo rounded out the evening's music.
In addition to musical performances, the concert included honors to tenth graders for completing their education at SJA. The principal also recognized parent and friend volunteers who contributed more than 2,100 hours to SJA this year.
Upper Columbia Academy band director Jerry Lange presented a $500 scholarship to Joey Stratte to continue his high school education at the academy. He also presented a two-year tuba performing arts scholarship to Jessica Bryan.
Irene Kay, third- and fourth-grade teacher, received heartfelt thanks for her career at SJA as she prepares to move to Rwanda, Africa, later this year.
The SJA gymnastic team, affectionately know as the "Gym Rats," also performed and wowed the audience with a dozen energetic routines.
Frost concluded the concert with an encore performance of a few bars from "In the Mood."
The Spokane Junior Academy choir closed the school year with their Performance of Joy.
Jessica Bryan,
Spokane Junior Academy 10th graders, Joey Stratte and Jessica Bryan, were presented scholarships to Upper Columbia Academy by UCA band director Jerry Lange at the SJA Spring concert.
Joey Stratte
